Bhubaneswar is the capital city of the state of Odisha since 1949 after it replaced Cuttack. It was historically depicted as EkamraKshetra (Temple city). It is the assemblage of Hindu, Buddhist and Jain heritage boasting of some of the finest Kalingan temples. With many ancient temples having Kalinga architecture, Bhubaneswar is referred to as a ‘Temple City of India’.
Some of the popular temples in Bhubaneswar are Lingaraj Temple built in 11th century AD, Mukteshwar Temple built in 10th century AD, Brahmeshwar Temple built in 11th century AD, Rajarani Temple built in 10th century AD and Yogini Temple built in 9-10th century AD.
Things to do in Bhubaneswar
Bhubaneswar has a lot when it comes to the list of things to do, like a visit to hot water springs or the majestic temples. One can also go shopping at artisans’ villages like Pipli or BDA City Centre to experience the Amusement park.
Tourist attractions in Bhubaneswar
Although known as ‘Temple City’, Bhubaneswar has much more than that, from architectural marvels to natural beauties. One may visit Nandankanan Zoo to get a glimpse of many kinds of mammals, species of birds and varieties of reptiles or one can visit Udayagiri and Khandagiri caves, Odisha State Museum, Pathani Samanta Planetarium, Indira Gandhi Park and Tribal Museum.
Places to shop in Bhubaneswar
Shopping is one of the best activities in the city with a variety of options such as Utkalika for handloom and handicraft products, Esplanade Mall for stylish products and dress materials, Orissa Modern Art Gallery, Epari Govindam Pvt. Ltd. for traditional sarees and lehengas, Soumya Handicraft and Ekamra Haat for colourful handloom sarees and suits.
Modes of transport
Bhubaneswar is well-connected by train and bus to other cities within and outside the State. For transport within the city, a large number of buses operated by Dream Team Sahara (DTS) and OSRTC (Odisha State Road Transport Corporation) are available. There is a very popular ‘Jugnoo Auto Service’ which is an app-based auto service. Ola & Uber caps also operate in the city. There are also many options for ‘Rent a car’ on a self-drive and Chauffeur-driven basis.
Best time to visit Bhubaneswar
The best time to visit the city is from October to March as the temperature is low and the weather is pleasant. Although one may also want to visit the city during monsoon season (June to September) to experience the scenic beauty, it is this time when the city experiences heavy rainfall.
Weather in Bhubaneswar
Bhubaneswar has a tropical climate. The average temperature in summers is around 30°C & in winters around 24°C. June to September, the Monsoon season experiences heavy rainfall and December is the driest month.
Airport in Bhubaneswar
IndiGo offers domestic flights and international flights to and from Biju Patnaik International Airport (IATA: BBI), also known as the Bhubaneswar Airport, being the primary airport serving Bhubaneswar. To know more visit the flight schedule page on IndiGo’s official website.